Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 136

Chapter 136

Carter’s face darkened. “Theo, be quiet.”

Theo flinched, shrinking instinctively behind Kelly.

She stepped in quickly, voice gentle, as if to shield him. “Carter, he’s just a child. Don’t be so harsh with him. Besides, you’ve always expected a lot from Theo, and he’s never disappointed you. He’s always at the top of his class. Isn’t it understandable he wants to be the best at everything?”

She glanced at Sharon, her tone soft but laced with meaning. “With a son as outstanding as Theo, Sharon should really work on improving herself, too. As parents, we shouldn’t be the ones holding our children back.”

Carter’s expression wavered slightly. The light in his eyes dimmed. He said nothing.

But Matty stepped forward, his voice clear. “Sharon would never hold anyone back! She’s amazing!”

Theo let out a scornful laugh. “She’s my mom. Don’t you think I’d know if she was amazing? Matty, if you’re smart, find someone else to perform with. Otherwise, when you get laughed at and end up crying, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

pointed at Theo, his voice sharp and firm in a way that was completely unlike

way to measure how good someone is. If you can’t even respect your own mom, what’s the point of being smart at all? The ones who get laughed at aren’t the ones who come in last. It’s the kids like you-mean,

hit hard. Theo took a small step back, visibly

you may not be happy with me visiting Theo. But Matty’s still a child. Was it really necessary to teach him to say things like

nearly applauded. Really, it was

just a pawn— used and discarded. And finally, she painted Sharon as a neglectful mother who still had the nerve

display

Sharon, eyes full of quiet disappointment. “Sharon, have you really fallen so far that you’re

child?”

slightly. “Kelly,

threw Kelly

turn to Carter and say, ‘Carter, actually, Sharon is your

Kelly froze.

No-everyone froze.